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varnish Definition

var·nish (värnis̸h)

noun

    1. a preparation made of resinous substances dissolved in oil (oil varnish) or in alcohol, turpentine, etc. (spirit varnish), used to give a hard, glossy surface to wood, metal, etc.
    2. any of various natural or prepared products used for the same purpose
  1. the hard, glossy surface produced
  2. a surface gloss or smoothness, as of manner

Etymology: ME vernisch < OFr verniz < ML veronix, veronice, a resin < Gr Berenikē (now Benghazi), ancient city in Cyrenaica

transitive verb

  1. to cover with varnish; brush varnish on
  2. to impart a smooth surface or appearance to, as with varnish
  3. to make superficially attractive or acceptable, as by embellishing
  4. to polish up; adorn

varnish Related Forms
var·nisher noun
varnish Synonyms

varnish

n.

Colors of varnish include: light oak, dark oak, golden oak, mahogany, walnut, cherry, dark pine, light pine, japan black, lacquer red, gold-rust, silver wire lacquer, sheet-gold lacquer, green lacquer, brown lacquer, cream lacquer;

varnish Synonyms

varnish

v.

finish, paint, shellac, lacquer, wax, size, enamel, japan, surface, coat, luster, polish, gloss, adorn, refinish, glaze, gloss over.

Antonyms expose*, remove the finish, strip.

varnish Usage Examples

Object

  • floorboard: Varnished floorboards, built in wardrobe cupboard and under eaves storage.
  • teak: The exterior color scheme is white and varnished teak with the original chrome fittings.
  • woodwork: The galley area is totally enclosed in typical Freeman quality varnished woodwork, with matched veneer or timber.
  • wood: Bare wood, which will absorb linseed oil, is better than varnished wood.

Converse of object

  • discolor: Removal of discolored varnish would help bring back the wonderful iciness of the scene.
  • gloss: This includes paint: emulsion, gloss, varnish, etc.
  • nail: No make up, nail varnish or jewelry should be worn to school.
  • remove: You should also remove nail varnish or bring remover with you.

Adjective modifier

  • matt: Then apply a dark colored, matt varnish or even a dark brown paint.
  • acrylic: Once the paint had dried I applied two thin coats of acrylic varnish which gave the necessary reflective surface.
  • colored: Then apply a dark colored, matt varnish or even a dark brown paint.
  • pink: There were no Barbie dolls, no pink bedrooms, no pink nail varnish, none of that!
  • thick: This is covered with materials composed of old blankets and canvas and being properly secured with a thick varnish or pitch.
  • brown: Throughout the brown colored varnish is wrinkled, probably due to wood shrinkage.

Modifies a noun

  • remover: Yet, for 12 years we have been allowed to carry on whatever liquids we wanted, ranging from nail varnish remover to Coke.
  • resin: Differences in physical properties between varnish resins would result in changes in image quality.

Noun used with modifier

  • nail: You should also remove nail varnish or bring remover with you.
  • polyurethane: A coat of modern polyurethane varnish gives the roller a smart finish.
  • yacht: Outdoor plaques with a choice of stain and finished with three coats of high gloss quality yacht varnish.

Preposition: for

  • durability: Our canvases are printed in UV resistant ink and varnished for further enhanced durability and look great on a wall!

Browse dictionary entries near varnish

  1. varna
  2. varmint
  3. varletry
  4. varlet
  5. varix
  6. varistor
  7. variously
  8. various
  9. variorum
  10. variometer
  1. varnish tree
  2. varoom
  3. Varro
  4. varsity
  5. Varuna
  6. varus
  7. varve
  8. vary
  9. varying
  10. varying hare